Details

Subject(s)

• Ibn al-Biṭrīq, Yūḥannā -approximately 815 [Browse]
• Kings and rulers—Duties—Arab countries—Early works to 1800 [Browse]
• Education of princes—Arab countries—Early works to 1800 [Browse]
• Islamic calligraphy—Early works to 1800 [Browse]
• Manuscripts, Arabic—New Jersey—Princeton [Browse]

Getty AAT genre

• Illuminated manuscripts—Islamic Empire—15th century [Browse]

Summary note

Elegant copy of the Sirr al-asrār, made for (bi-rasm) the library of Yashbak al-Ashrafī Amīr Dawādār al-Kabīr wa-Bāsh al-ʻAsākir al-Islāmīyah (illuminated frontispice, fol. 1a). A ms. made under the same patronage is found in Dublin, Chester Beatty Library, Arabic Ms. 4169 (see Schimmel, A. Calligraphy and Islamic culture, 1983, 180, n. 173).

Notes

• Ms. codex.
• Title from title page (fol. 1a).
• 13 lines per page. Written in large naskh in black ink, with use of blue ink (see fol. 6b) and gold for headings (outlined in black from fol. 10a on). Illuminated title page in gold and blue (fol. 1a). Illuminated headpiece with basmalah in white on a blue and gold background with a gold, blue and red border on fol. 1b. The text is framed within a gold, black and blue border throughout. Figure representing the levels of justice (ʻadālah) written in three concentric circles outlined in gold, on fol. 24a. Thick glazed light cream paper with pulp and chain lines visible. The paper has been frame-ruled (see fol. 67-68).
• Copy completed by Muḥammad al-Shīrāzī in 876 H. (colophon, fol. 67a).
• Patronage: See provenance note.
• Incipit: الحمد لله الملك القديم والسلطان العظيم الكريم ذى العدل والانصاف والحلم والالطاف ... امل بعد فهذا كتاب معدوم المثال ويسمى كتاب السياسة فى تدبير المملكة وحفظ الرياسة الذى الّفه الحكيم ارسطوطاليس للملك اسكندر ذى القرنين
• Explicit: على حسب ما شرطت ووفيت بكلّ ما يحقّ لك من الوفا فكُن به سعيدًا موفقًا ان شآ الله تعالى

Binding note

Paper pasted on paper pasteboards for upper and lower covers, with brown leather on th edges. Traces of a now wanting fore-edge flap. Kkaki paper pastedowns.

Provenance

Made for (bi-rasm) the library of Yashbak al-Ashrafī Amīr Dawādār al-Kabīr wa-Bāsh al-ʻAsākir al-Islāmīyah (illuminated frontispice, fol. 1a). Seal on fol. 1a. Acquired by Robert Garrett from Brill, Leyden, 1900.

Source acquisition

Gift ; Robert Garrett, Class of 1897 ; 1942.

References

Hitti, P. Garrett coll., 779

Other title(s)

• Siyāsah fī tadbīr al-mamlakah wa-ḥifẓ al-riyāsah
• سياسة في تدبير المملكة وحفظ الرياسة
• كتاب سر الاسرار
• Sirr al-asrār
• سر الاسرار
• كتاب السياسة

Title in colophon

• Kitāb Sirr al-asrār

Title on the lower edge of the text block

• Kitāb al-siyāsah

OCLC

81302447

Statement on language in description

Princeton University Library aims to describe library materials in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections we manage. Read more...